WALGETT Shire Council is calling on the Federal Government to reverse proposed funding cuts to the Services Australia Agency in Lightning Ridge.
Council warns the reduction would result in reduced operating hours and make it harder for residents to access essential Commonwealth services locally.
Council has received advice from Services Australia of its intention to reduce funding for the Lightning Ridge Agency.
Council understands the proposed reduction would directly reduce the operating hours of the service, limiting local access to Services Australia support, including Centrelink, Medicare and other Commonwealth services.
Walgett Shire mayor Jasen Ramien said the proposed reduction is extremely disappointing and failed to recognise the importance of face-to-face service delivery in remote communities.
“Lightning Ridge is a strong and resilient community, but it is also a remote community, and access to government services matters,” Cr Ramien said.
“This is not simply a matter of putting a computer in a room. Many residents need practical assistance to understand what service they need, what information they have to provide, how to respond to correspondence, and how to navigate systems that directly affect their everyday lives.
“That is the service Council is providing on behalf of the Australian Government. It is not reasonable for the Federal Government to reduce funding and expect local ratepayers to carry the cost.”
Walgett Shire Council general manager Andrew Brown said Council staff provide a level of support that goes well beyond basic access.
“Our staff do not simply point people to a computer and walk away,” Mr Brown said.
“These are often complex matters, and they are often emotional matters. People come to us when they are trying to resolve issues relating to income support, health care, family circumstances, housing, identification, or other matters that can have a very real impact on their lives.
“Often, our staff are working with people when they are at their most vulnerable. That takes time, patience, trust and local understanding. It cannot be properly measured by transaction numbers alone.”
Cr Ramien said the value of the Lightning Ridge Agency could not be measured by numbers alone.
“In remote communities, lower volume does not mean lower importance,” he said.
“Every person who comes through the door matters. For some residents, this service is the difference between being able to resolve an issue locally and being left to deal with a complex government system on their own.
“Reducing operating hours does not reduce the need for the service. It simply makes it harder for local people to access the help they need.”
Council is calling on the Minister for Government Services, Katy Gallagher, to intervene and ensure funding for the Lightning Ridge Services Australia Agency is not reduced.
Council is also seeking a review of the funding model so that it properly reflects the actual cost of providing a meaningful face to face service in a remote community.
Cr Ramien said Council would welcome the opportunity to show the Minister the importance of the service firsthand.
“We would welcome the Minister visiting Lightning Ridge to meet with Council and see the reality of service delivery in a remote community,” he said.
“Council is willing to work constructively with Services Australia, but we cannot support a funding cut that would reduce local access to Commonwealth services and shift more of the cost onto local ratepayers.”
